Legislative Activity

This bill significantly strengthens the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016 by explicitly blocking time-based and procedural defenses that have previously prevented claims for Nazi-looted art from being heard on their merits. The changes ensure that courts must now focus on whether the art was actually stolen, regardless of when the claim is brought or the citizenship of the original owner. These improvements apply immediately to both pending and future lawsuits seeking the return of art expropriated during the Nazi era.

The Essential Air Service Reliability Act of 2025 updates the Essential Air Service (EAS) program by requiring airlines seeking federal subsidies to submit contingency plans for non-weather-related service disruptions. This legislation also shifts the selection criteria for subsidy recipients to prioritize the proposed rate of compensation. These changes aim to ensure more reliable air service to smaller communities by mandating operational backups.

The Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements to combat bridge rust and decay on federally funded projects by mandating the use of certified contractors and qualified training programs for corrosion control work. The bill also makes federal grant funding explicitly available for corrosion control work on rail bridges. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive study on the efficacy and maintenance of weathering steel bridges within 18 months.

The Military PFAS Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Defense (DoD) provide annual, detailed reports to Congress on the funding and status of all interim cleanup actions for toxic PFAS chemicals at military sites. This legislation also requires the DoD to submit a strategy for accelerating these cleanups based on health risks and environmental harm. Furthermore, the DoD must establish a public-facing online dashboard to ensure transparency regarding spending and cleanup progress.

This bill mandates that the Secretary of Defense establish regulations requiring all optional combat boots worn by service members as part of their required uniform to be 100% manufactured in the United States. This requirement covers all materials and components used in the boots. Exceptions are provided for boots needed for specialized military requirements or documented medical necessity.

The Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025 updates federal law to broaden protections against intimate partner violence by expanding the definition of an "intimate partner" to explicitly include dating relationships. This bill also introduces a new federal prohibition on firearm possession for individuals convicted of a misdemeanor crime of stalking. These changes aim to close loopholes and ensure comprehensive safety measures for survivors of abuse and harassment.

The No Gratuities for Governing Act of 2025 updates federal law regarding illegal gifts involving government agents who manage federal funds. It establishes new criminal penalties for giving or accepting gifts valued at \$1,000 or more in connection with official transactions worth \$5,000 or more. The Act also increases the maximum prison sentence for existing offenses under this statute from 10 to 15 years.

The Expanding Access to Lending Options Act directs the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to prioritize the safety and soundness of federally chartered credit unions. This legislation primarily amends the Federal Credit Union Act by extending the maximum holding period for certain real estate assets from 15 to 20 years. It also clarifies the eligibility language for property involved in these real estate loans.

The Connecting Students with Mental Health Services Act establishes a new grant program to enhance mental and behavioral health support for K-12 students through telehealth services. These grants prioritize funding for schools in high-poverty, rural, or underserved areas to acquire necessary equipment and staff for remote care delivery. The program aims to expand access to mental health services while ensuring strict compliance with student privacy laws.

The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 strengthens the national earthquake preparedness strategy by expanding its focus to include recovery standards, tsunami coordination, and improved communication protocols. This legislation specifically enhances the U.S. Geological Survey's role in improving the early warning system, ensuring faster and more accessible alerts. Furthermore, the bill authorizes specific funding levels for earthquake hazard reduction efforts through fiscal year 2030.

The National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates federal landslide preparedness by refining key definitions, including those for atmospheric rivers and extreme precipitation events. It reauthorizes and strengthens the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program, requiring specific risk assessments and improvements to the national hazard database. The bill also expands stakeholder inclusion, enhances interagency coordination, and reauthorizes funding for USGS landslide activities and the 3D Elevation Program through fiscal year 2030.

The Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act addresses the growing problem of technological abuse against survivors. This bill establishes a temporary pilot program to fund partnerships between tech experts and victim service providers to combat digital abuse. Additionally, it creates a separate grant program to develop and provide educational resources and training on technological abuse for support organizations.

The Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act of 2025 aims to bolster the mental well-being of school employees through several key actions. It mandates the sharing of best practices for suicide prevention and mental health support across the education workforce. The bill also establishes national awareness campaigns to encourage staff to seek necessary mental health services and funds new grant programs to develop and expand direct support and training initiatives. Finally, it requires comprehensive reviews by the Secretary and the GAO to assess the effectiveness of these new and existing federal efforts.

The Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2025 mandates that group health plans treat the cost-sharing for oral (take-at-home) anticancer drugs the same as they treat cost-sharing for intravenously administered cancer drugs. This ensures patients do not face higher out-of-pocket expenses for necessary oral chemotherapy medications. The Act also requires the GAO to study the financial impact of this new parity requirement on patients.

The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act amends SEC reporting requirements for certain investment companies. This change allows these companies to exclude the indirect fees and expenses incurred from investing in an Acquired Fund, provided that Acquired Fund is a business development company. This simplifies the calculation of total "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" disclosed on registration statements.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the organ transplant process. This legislation ensures that a disability alone cannot be a basis for denying a transplant, referral, or listing. It mandates reasonable modifications and the provision of necessary support, including recognizing support networks, unless the disability presents a medically significant barrier to the transplant itself. The Act ensures these protections apply from initial evaluation through post-transplant care and does not diminish existing state or local protections.

The Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025 declares attracting investment from trusted private companies a national priority to boost U.S. competitiveness and security. The bill mandates a comprehensive review by the Commerce Department and GAO to assess how the U.S. can better attract this foreign direct investment while countering threats from state-backed entities, particularly those connected to China. The ultimate goal is to strengthen domestic supply chains and technological leadership by streamlining investment from reliable partners.

The Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a new pilot program to award grants for evidence-based skills training to family caregivers of children with autism or developmental disabilities. This training aims to improve child well-being and community engagement by focusing on communication, daily living skills, and caregiver self-care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will oversee the program, which requires grantees to establish diverse advisory committees and report annually on program effectiveness. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030 to support at least 25 entities across multiple states.

The Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2025 aims to improve women's health after childbirth by clarifying Medicaid/CHIP coverage for essential pelvic health services. It mandates federal guidance for states on covering services like pelvic floor exams and physical therapy, alongside establishing a national education campaign for both providers and new mothers. The bill also directs the GAO to study existing coverage gaps for postpartum women under Medicaid.

This resolution officially designates June 23-27, 2025, as Academic Medicine Week to recognize the vital contributions of medical schools, teaching hospitals, and researchers. It highlights their critical roles in training future doctors, conducting medical research, and providing complex patient care. The bill also underscores the need for federal support to address physician shortages and maintain these essential services nationwide.